Folding box



Jul 22 1924.

W. BAL

FOLDI NG BOX 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Filed Aug.

Jul 22 1924.

w. BAL

} FOLDING BOX Filed Aug. 50, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 22, 1924,

* UNITED stares WiLLIAMiBAL, F NEWARK, nnw JERSEY.

FOLDING Box.

Application filedAugust 30, 1922. Serial No; 585,182.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that '1, \VILLIAM- BAL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Boxes, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to an improved folding box which can be used for various purposes, but which is primarily designed to be used as a laundry box, or in fact for any use in which a light box, made of fibre or the like, can be extended to give a substantial height thereto, or can be folded to make a substantially flat thin box, the parts of the box being disposed so as to provide for these diflerent dispositions and to have a self-contained means for holding the parts in their relative positions.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a View of the box, the cover beingbroken away and shown partly in dotted outline, and one of the end flaps being illustrated as folded back to more clearly illustrate the construction. Figure 2 is a sectional perspective view showing one of the side flaps, a part of the bottom and a hinging element. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a corner of the top turned upside down. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the box in its extended position, being broken away at the center thereof. Figure 5 is a perspective view of one corner of the side and end flaps in extended position, with a corner of the top shown in dotted outline. Figure 6 is a perspective sectional view of a fragment of the box, showing the engagement of the end flap with the side flap when extended, and Figure 7 is a sectional perspective of a part of the bottom and one'of the side flaps. Figure 8 is a detail section with the parts folded and the topon.

The box may be made of heavy cardboard or similar material, but I prefer to use fibre or its equivalent, which provides stiffness and a limited resiliency and at the same time provides a surface for the coating, such as painting or varnishing.

The box is usually made in rectangular form and of considerable area so as to receive articles such as laundered shirts and the like, so that they can lie flat, and coinprises a tray-like bottom having the bottom portion 10 bent up to form the side flanges 11, and the top edges of the sides of: the tray-like bottom are arranged as side flaps 12. To the top edges of the ends of'the tray.

are secured the end flaps 13, these side flaps and end flaps being hinged to the upstanding portions of the traylike bottom usually by strips such as 14, usually "made of leather or the like, or, if desired,'tough fabric can be used, these being made to adhereto the parts being connected, and'iI- show rivets 15 for this purpose, as will be seen from Figures 2 and 7; These flaps can be swung down to folded flat position, as

shown in Figure 1, or extended upwardly in continuation of the sides of the traylike bottom, these hinged strips forming c10 sures, particularly when the :box is extended; as shown in Figure #1, so as to keep out dust, dirt and moisture. a r Suitable corner brackets is 16 are prefer: ably placed on the corners of the bottom so as to strengthen the bottom at these points. The end flaps are provided with flanges 17 at their side edges, these flanges embracing the ends of the side flaps when they are extended, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, these side flaps also fitting down over the folded parts, as shown at the right hand end of Figure 1, the resiliency of the material permitting such slight readjustment of the parts as is necessary. When in folded position, which is the position the parts are placed in when the box is empty or when but a small amount of material is in it, the hinged strips 14 also provide a dusttight closure for the box. 7 The box can be made of material height when it is extended, because the side flaps are about half the width of the box so that they abut, or nearly abut, when they are folded, as will be seen in Figure 1, and the end flaps are made of a length so that they will be even with the top of the side flaps when they are swung upward.

When extended, the flanges 17 act as abutments or stops against which'the side flaps rest, and the side flaps and end flaps are held in this position by suitable co-acting means, such as the catches 18, which are of any of the usual types used in bags and the like, and which are adapted to catch over the lugs 19 of the other member of the catch, this other member being secured fit down .over the sides of the folded ,box

and also over the edges of the extended side and end flaps when the box is extended. The resiliency of the material permits such slightg readjustment of the parts "as is neceatery. This is further made possible by reason ofya stiffening of such marginal flanges by reason" of the longitudinal corrt gation or rib2'3iwhichjholds'these flanges ofsfi e covernormallystiff, to fit'the parts whemthey'areextended, as shown in Fig ufefij but permittingfa slight springing or extensionwheii tliecover is fitted down over" tli fdlded 'box'andi forming an interior, recesswhich: encloses the members 19 of the catches to give; a smooth exterior appearance';and- .thisli'esiliency' also acting to hold tl-recovertightly in position.

l. Af'folding box comprising a trayrlike bottom, sidei and end-flap s hinged to the top 'edgesl'of, the trayfand adapted to fold in,- weirdly, "catches on the outside of the flaps to secure the corners thereof when extended," the end flaps having flanges to embrace the sides of the tray when folded, and a cover having means to engage the catch members on theend flapsto secure thecover and the folded bottom portion together.

2. A folding box comprising a tray-like bottom, side and end flaps hinged to the top edges of the tray and adapted to fold inwardly, the end flap having flanges to engage the outside of the side flaps When extended and toengage the outside of the tray when folded, catch members on the outside of the side flaps and on the flanges of the end flaps, and cover having means to engage the catch; members on the flanges to secure the cover on the bottom portion when it is folded.

3. A folding box comprising a tray-like bottom, side and end flaps hinged to the top edges of the tray and adaptedto foldin- Wardly, the end flapshavin flanges toen gageth'e outside of the [side flaps When extended an d. to engage the outside, of ,the tray When folded, catch members on the out side of the side flaps and on the flanges'of the end flaps, and a cover having. a longitudinal recess on the inner face of its flanges to engage the catch members on the flaps to securethe cover on the folded'box.

In testimony that Iclaim the foregoing. I have hereto set my hand," this 28thday of August, 1922.

' WILLIAM EAL. 

